CHOSEN

Chosen in the most unthinkable way. Chosen in the most unconventional of ways. Chosen because of another’s rejection. Chosen because you were willing. Chosen because you refuse to quit. Chosen because, although the way you got there might not of not been the most socially acceptable; but after being there you understood the weight of the blessing or grasped the knowing that it doesn’t or didn’t have to be you(rs). You understand the fight it took and it takes to get there.

Chosen because the word of God can not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Chosen because of the prayer of intercessors. Chosen, for a purpose greater than yourself. Chosen to cause others to jealous for and over Him as well (Romans 11:11). Chosen to display His glory. Chosen with the understanding that it didn’t have to be you; chosen with the understanding of, and that it is you.

I am captivated by the story of Jacob (Genesis 25-49), and at different stages in my life it is for different reason.

As a new believer:

I had been captivated by his ability to wrestle for what he wanted. Jacob, although blessed with the greatest blessing his father could speak over him, still had to “do” in order to obtain. In his life and when recalling his story, I understand that his wrestle with God was one among many of the wrestles in his lifetime. It was proof that he learned at least one thing throughout his wrestling, and that one thing was “I will not leave this moment of wrestle without a blessing, or without receiving what I am able to obtain from it.” His wrestle, I believe showed us as readers that, not only was he given this blessing, but that, he was also willing to do what it took in order to maximize the outcome of the blessing. He was willing to go the distance in personal relationship with God by trying Him for Himself, as well as taking God’s instruction and direction on what to do next. He wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves to accomplish what had never been done before; nor was he lagging behind regarding the way he processed outcomes and the systems in which he should do things. Jacob was wise and he didn’t just take the words of others regarding who God was, He wanted to try and test God for himself. He wanted to serve Him on a personal basis. Jacob’s courage to wrestle with none other than God Himself until – He blessed him was admirable , but I don’t want us to forget that the wrestle may also come at a cost. Because isn’t that what life is about? Some sort of wrestle, some sort of tug, some sort of petition, some sort of belief, some sort of stance, some sort of faith, some sort of wild and radical personal relationship with your Maker – that leads you to say “it is only me and You in the fight of faith. “ “I am the conduit and You are the power. “ “Bless me, enlarge my territory, I pray for increase, bless me indeed, oh Lord enlarge my territory.” (1 Chronicles 4) – This really is what life is about – You, on your faith journey with your Maker – It is just you and Him, what will it be?

In later years:

I had been captivated by Jacob’s birth story? That him and his brother would wrestle with one another in their mothers womb. Or, that Jacob couldn’t wait on his own entry to into the earth, he exited the birthing canal visibly clinging to his twin brothers heel. What an entry! I’d love to see the expression on the midwives who witnessed this happen.

We often times associate God’s blessing with righteous living, now don’t get me wrong, righteous living; will definitely lead to God’s blessing. It’s completion in your life, help the ability you have to maintain or handle the blessing, assist your longevity in the faith, it can also result in the abundance of God’s flow and presence in your life.

But, what if you aren’t starting off there? What if you don’t have the assurance of your “credentials” to fall back on? What if righteousness has been a struggle for you, what then? Do you tuck your tail and continue to walk on, hoping that God’s blessing will locate you if you are “lucky”enough? Do you remain until He changes you? What if you encounter God at a moment where you feel most unrighteous or the most unworthy, what then? What do you do when God’s blessing has decided to locate you, and not you it, what then? These are some of the places I believe Jacob found himself, maybe even Moses. So what then? What do you do when it isn’t all because of you or for you, that God has decided to bless you?

Do you ignore the call? Do you ignore the truth of your choosing? Do you ignore the blessing of God that is chasing you down?

Or do you grab ahold of faith and the incorruptible seed from the living and abiding word of God?

(1 Peter 1:23)

And, now:

I am captivated at the fact that Jacob was and still is blessed, and had been chosen to be blessed at that. Chosen to be blessed in spite of himself. Chosen to be blessed in the midst of his wrestling. Chosen to be blessed although nothing, not even his own doing is hidden from God. Chosen to be blessed to carry on the legacy of His grandfather, who was among the names of the chosen. After some years of being a Christian, I can confidently say that I firmly believe that God’s choosing vastly depends on us? That His choosing could involve any one of us if we would just _________________. I’ll leave you to fill in your own blank.

His Bride, By Design

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